French Open 2016 Schedule: Men's Final TV Coverage and Live Stream Guide
A new chapter in the history books of Grand Slam tennis will be written on Sunday, as Novak Djokovic takes on Andy Murray in the 2016 French Open final.
The Roland Garros championship is the only major tournament that’s eluded world No. 1 Djokovic over the years, and a win in Paris will finally see him complete a deserved grand slam of grand slams.
Murray, meanwhile, is playing in his first-ever French Open final and aiming to become the first British winner of the famous trophy since way back in 1935, when Fred Perry reigned supreme.
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Here we look ahead to what’s set to be a thrilling final.
Date: Sunday, June 5
Time: 9 a.m. ET/2 p.m. BST
Venue: Roland Garros, Paris
TV Info: NBC (U.S. only)/ITV (U.K. only)
Live Stream: NBC Sports Live Extra/ITV Hub
History in the Making
Whatever happens in the remainder of Djokovic’s career, he’ll go down as one of the best tennis players ever to brandish a racket.
Yet the likes of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal can end their time at the top of the game with a claim that the Serbian can’t match: a career Grand Slam.
Djokovic has been a finalist at Roland Garros three times in the past four tournaments, but he’s come up short every time.
In last year’s showdown against Stan Wawrinka, Djokovic saw a run of 28 matches without tasting defeat come to an end, as he was forced to wait another 12 months for a shot at the elusive French Open title.
Now, though, the world No. 1 is back, and he told reporters after his comprehensive semi-final triumph over Dominic Thiem that he’s happy to have the opportunity to become a legend—via Simon Cambers of the Guardian:
"I have put myself in a position in which I wanted to be in of course ever since last year’s final. I give myself another opportunity to win the trophy. I think mentally when we step on the court, maybe to some extent, there is some small percentage in his [Murray’s] favour, but he’s in great form. It’s another grand slam title up for grabs for both. It’s going to be a very physical battle, which is always the case.
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Murray is, indeed, showing exceptional form on clay of late and even got the better of Djokovic in the final of the Rome Masters last month.
In the Italian capital, he demonstrated incredible patience and then had the shots in his locker when the chances presented themselves.
Sure, Djokovic will be far more hyped up for Sunday’s meeting than he was for the Rome Masters final, but Murray will still be feeling confident.
And tennis legend Pat Cash says he has good reason to be optimistic, too, as the surface suits the Scot more than the Serbian, via David Law of BBC Sport:
Murray, however, said that it’ll be a closely contested final and that whoever emerges victorious from the gruelling baseline rallies more will put themselves in a great position to lift the trophy—per BBC Sport:
"I don't know who the conditions will suit, Novak plays well on all the courts. It probably means there will be long rallies, you have to be patient in these conditions. It's not easy to hit winners. I'm sure it's going to be a final with a lot of emotions and exchanges from the baseline because we have a similar style of game. I know his game he knows mine—I'm sure we'll both give it our all.
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Djokovic’s three final defeats have put a huge amount of pressure on Sunday’s match, but you don’t become one of the greatest of all time without being able to cope with it.
Murray, meanwhile, will play the underdog role, and if he can take the opening set and pick up some momentum, then you’d be foolish to bet against him going on to lift the trophy.
Grand Slam finals are full of drama and intensity, and as two of the best players in the business collide at Roland Garros, expect nothing else.
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